Chapter 3: A New Friend
Two days later, Bob was healed and the Karma was pulling into its final destination. Nothing else had happened and the events onboard the starship would soon be nothing more than a bad memory.
Bob looked at the pink sphere that he held in his hands, the Plunchit. He had taken the liberty of procuring the weapon after his bout with Zeiram. He wasn't too interested in grenades himself, but he knew that Gren had been looking for Plunchits for some time. Frankly, Bob trusted it in the hands of his friend more than the Tedan Tippedai clean-up crew.
It seemed like ages since Bob had seen his fellow bounty hunter. He wanted to check on Gren and see how Iria's training was going. Maybe even take some time off to relax and treat himself to a vacation, Taowajan was supposed to be nice this time of year...
"Yes," Bob reflected as he looked out a viewport. "It would be good to take a little breather."
Bob heard a clearing of the throat and looked to find Puttubayh staring at him. "Zeiram is secured, I oversaw the arrangements myself. Now that the Karma is pulling in, your job is done."
"What about the terrorists?" Bob asked. "Aren't you still worried about them?"
"Not particularly," Puttubayh said smugly. "The whole point of this voyage was to flush out the traitors conspiring against me. My people were able to recover and digitize the brains of Samon and that other fool. From there it was easy enough to extract the information we needed about their network and contacts. The so-called terrorists won't be a problem for me anymore."
Bob felt a flush of anger as he realized he had been just another piece for Puttubayh to use for his own goals, but he let it pass and simply nodded. "Then I trust that I preformed my duties to your satisfaction?"
Puttubayh smirked. "Indeed. I'll even say you performed above my expectations. I think it would be worth pulling a few strings and make sure that you get that new position within Ghomvak Security. All I ask in return is that you do something for me."
"What?"
"I want you to use your new position to make sure that you only send the best Hunters when it comes to bounty jobs involving Tedan Tippedai," he answered. "Match the talent to the job as it were."
Bob knew he was being manipulated, but it was a good deal. He turned to look out of the window thoughtfully. "I'll only do it on the condition that you destroy Zeiram and end this project of yours. That thing is too dangerous to be in anyone's hands."
"It's a deal," Puttubayh agreed, a little too fast for Bob to completely trust him. Then again, Puttubayh had almost been killed by Zeiram. If nothing else, the man had a strong interest in saving his own skin. Perhaps this encounter had scared some sense into him.
"I mean it, Puttubayh," Bob said as he turned to face the executive again. "If I find that you're lying to me, then all of this is null and void."
Puttubayh didn't seem the least bit perturbed. "I'll have my people set an appointment and we can go over the finer details there. It was a pleasure working with you, Hunter Bob."
Puttubayh then turned and left before Bob could utter a word.
I don't like him.
"You're not the only one, Karma," Bob replied. "At first I thought he was just an arrogant coward, but if all this was truly a ruse to flush out his opposition, then he's more intelligent than I gave him credit for."
Perhaps so. After reviewing the events of the breakout, I was able to find out how Zeiram broke out of his stasis. The unit did suffer mechanical failure, but only after a signal was sent to it. It was designed to look like background noise. I believe the signal triggered the unit to malfunction. A lesser computer might have missed it. I almost did until I did a more extensive review.
Bob frowned at the new information. "The timing of Zeiram's breakout did seem awfully convenient. You're saying it was Puttubayh who sent the signal?"
I wasn't able to locate the source, but Zeiram's escape ultimately benefitted Puttubayh the most. He also claimed that he could control Zeiram.
Bob mused over the implications. He didn't like any of them. "Well, he certainly believes he can. I wonder how much is true and how much is Zeiram letting him think it's true... Unfortunately, without solid proof, this is all speculation."
I don't like being used like that.
"Neither do I," Bob agreed. "However, a man like Puttubayh won't stay out of trouble for long. Next time I take a job from him, I'll know what to expect. Until then, I have no choice but to take him at his word."
If nothing else, I hope this means that we'll meet again. I enjoyed working with you.
Bob smiled. "I've never met another computer like you, Karma. The job might be over, but our friendship will last beyond it."
You consider me a friend?
"Of course I do," Bob replied with another smile. "Maybe the next time we meet I can introduce you to some of my other friends."
I would like that.
"So would I, Karma. Until we meet again!"
The End
